Solar PV Analysis of Little Attock, Pakistan
The location at Little Attock, Punjab, Pakistan is suitable for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year but it's not equally efficient in all seasons. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar varies depending on the season: 7.14 kWh/day in Summer, 5.16 kWh/day in Autumn, 3.86 kWh/day in Winter and 6.61 kWh/day in Spring.
This means that summer and spring are the best times to generate solar power at this location due to higher sunlight exposure while winter has the least potential because of shorter daylight hours and possibly cloudier weather.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels towards south at an angle of 30 degrees would maximize total year-round production from solar PV as it allows maximum sunlight exposure throughout different times of day and seasons.
As for environmental or local factors that might affect solar production; dust storms could potentially cover the panels with dust decreasing their efficiency. Moreover, monsoon rains might also reduce sunshine duration temporarily during certain parts of the year.
To counter these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled to remove any dust or debris collected on panels after storms or heavy winds which will ensure greater energy production. Furthermore installing weather resistant equipment can help protect against heavy rains during monsoon season.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 144 locations across Pakistan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Pakistan by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Little Attock
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8945, Longitude: 72.2363 (Little Attock, Pakistan), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 30° South in Little Attock, Pakistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Little Attock, Pakistan (Lat/Long 33.8945, 72.2363) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Little Attock, Pakistan
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Little Attock, Pakistan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 39° South in Autumn | 49° South in Winter | 26° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Little Attock, Pakistan
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Little Attock, Pakistan.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Little Attock, Pakistan
Little Attock is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The topography around Little Attock is generally flat and plain-like, as it lies in the Indus River plains. There are some hilly areas to the north and northwest due to its proximity to the Himalayan foothills.
As for solar PV installations, large-scale solar farms require a significant amount of open, relatively flat land that receives ample sunlight throughout the year. Considering these factors:
1) The plains surrounding Little Attock would be well-suited for such an installation due to their flatness and openness.
2) Areas close to rivers or bodies of water might not be ideal because they could flood or have high levels of humidity which might affect the efficiency of solar panels.
3) Hilly or mountainous regions may also not be suitable because they could cast shadows on solar panels reducing their efficiency unless positioned optimally.
4) Areas with minimal cloud cover throughout most of the year would also be advantageous for maximizing sunlight exposure.
5) It's also important to consider infrastructure accessibility - roads for transportation, proximity to power grid connections etc., while choosing a site for large-scale solar installations.
In conclusion, while exact locations should ideally be identified through detailed local surveys and studies considering various factors (including socio-economic), broadly speaking, open plains around Little Attock seem like potentially good spots for setting up large scale Solar PV projects.
Pakistan solar PV Stats as a country
Pakistan ranks 42nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,083 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Pakistan is generating 6 Watts from solar PV per capita (Pakistan ranks 78th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Pakistan?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan has implemented a number of policies and initiatives to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives for businesses that install solar systems. Additionally, the government has also set up a Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF) which provides grants and loans to support renewable energy projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Pakistan? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 3rd of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
